What would Trump really care about as president?

The obvious answer is, the same things he cares about as a candidate for president. These are (1) attacking, and if possible silencing, people who criticize him or report things that he would rather not have reported, and (2) enriching himself.

The easiest way to get #1 is to secure a compliant Justice Department, packed with his people, while letting Republicans have whatever they like in tax policy and judicial appointments.

The third thing he may care about – it’s hard to fully understand why, but the statements he keeps making about Putin, to his apparent political disadvantage, make one wonder – is aiding Russian foreign policy to achieve all of its aims, even perhaps maximalist ones.